What is LA Vaca Margarita Bar's health inspection score?

LA Vaca Margarita Bar has a SafeDine safety score of 93 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was LA Vaca Margarita Bar last inspected?

LA Vaca Margarita Bar was last inspected on January 15, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does LA Vaca Margarita Bar have?

LA Vaca Margarita Bar has 20 total violations across 20 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is LA Vaca Margarita Bar safe to eat at?

Yes, LA Vaca Margarita Bar has an excellent safety record with a score of 93/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does LA Vaca Margarita Bar serve?

LA Vaca Margarita Bar serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

LA Vaca Margarita Bar

Name: LA Vaca Margarita Bar
Address: 1160 W 18TH ST, Chicago, 60608
Rating: 93

1160 W 18TH ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 1/15/2026

▲Improving

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0Excellent

American•Pilsen

Ranked #74 of 411 in PilsenBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Improving

10 inspections

Last: Jan 15, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

50%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

4 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-7

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-3 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+8 pts

100

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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1160 W 18TH ST, Chicago, IL 60608

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Violation Timeline

Feb 2024

1 inspections

1 basic

Feb

May 2024

1 inspections

Jun 2024

1 inspections

3 intermediate

4 basic

Jun

Jul 2024

1 inspections

1 basic

Jan 2025

1 inspections

Jan

Feb 2025

1 inspections

2 basic

Apr 2025

1 inspections

Apr

May 2025

2 inspections

2 intermediate

7 basic

Jan 2026

1 inspections

Jan

Inspection History

10 records on file

5 Non-Inspection3 Complaint2 Complaint Re-Inspection

Jan 26

Non-Inspection InspectionLatestCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

May 25

Complaint InspectionPass

2 Med7 Basic

9 total

76/100inspection score

−24 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
OUTSIDE THERMOMETER ON THE HALL COOLER IS BROKEN. INSTRUCTED TO FIX OR PROVIDE AN INTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR SAID COOLER. MAINTAIN SAME.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
BOTH REAR EXIT DOORS WITH 1/4"-1/2" GAPS AT THE TOP/SIDE/BOTTOM OF DOOR AND IS NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENINGS-RODENT/INSECT PROOF DOORS AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (7)

−14 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SHELVING FOR THE UPSTAIRS STORAGE AREA AND STORE STOCK ITEMS 6" FROM THE FLOOR. MAINTAIN SAME.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH GREASE, FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
TRASH RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF STALLS WITH NO LIDS IN THE WOMEN'S CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH RECEPTACLES WITH LIDS AND MAINTAIN SAME.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
MOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED, STORED INSIDE OF THE MOP BUCKETS, WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP FOR PROPER AIR DRYING. MAINTAIN SAME.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
BROKEN/DAMAGED AND/OR MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE STEPS AND FLOOR BY THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK IN THE PREP AREA. -PITTED FLOOR INSIDE OF REAR WALK IN COOLER WITH STANDING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE FLOOR/FLOOR TILES TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
GRAFFITI ON THE WALLS OF THE MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER (CFM) ON SITE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

Base deductions−24 pts

May 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Apr 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Feb 25

Complaint InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
4-601.11(C) OBSERVED RUST ON THE SHELVES IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF THE TWO WEST SIDE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR EACH TOILET ROOM.

Base deductions−4 pts

Jan 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jul 24

Complaint Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-201.11 OBSERVED CRACKS AND CREVICES IN VARIOUS AREAS ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL CRACKS AND CREVICES. 6-201.13 OBSERVED NO COVING ON THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK / DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE AREA BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND WALL TIGHT FITTING.

Base deductions−2 pts

Jun 24

Complaint InspectionFail

3 Med4 Basic

7 total

77/100inspection score

−23 pts

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-302.12 OBSERVED SOME DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 3 LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING IN THE MEN'S TOILET ROOM, ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE DISH MACHINE, AND IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA BY THE REACH-IN FREEZER. OBSERVED ABOUT 5 LIVE LARGE FLIES FLYING AROUND THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA, ABOUT 5 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM, AND ABOUT 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
6-202.15 OBSERVED THE SLIDING FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS THAT LEAD TO OUTSIDE OPENED WITHOUT ADEQUATE SCREENING TO PREVENT PESTS ' ENTRY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SCREENS OR MAINTAIN WINDOWS CLOSED.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS BETWEEN AND INSIDE THE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-201.11 OBSERVED CRACKS AND CREVICES IN VARIOUS AREAS ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL CRACKS AND CREVICES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-201.13 OBSERVED NO COVING ON THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK / DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE AREA BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND WALL TIGHT FITTING.

Base deductions−23 pts

May 24

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Feb 24

Complaint Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
4-101.19 OBSERVED A CRACKED TOILET BOWL COVER IN THE FAR LEFT TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TOILET BOWL COVER.

Base deductions−2 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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